The Niners have signed veteran Billy Cundiff and will pick between the two for the club’s divisional round playoff game next weekend. Akers has become unreliable from 40 yards and beyond and according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, Akers explained the medical issue for the first time on Thursday.

Akers fell during practice while kicking off during the middle of the season and the issue flared up. He traveled to Philadelphia after playing the Saints on Nov. 25 to be treated with injections.

Akers knows the pressure is on him now.

“Whatever the circumstances, it’s out of my control right now — whatever they decide,” he said. “Last year, 2012, I started out with a double sports hernia surgery in February. Rehabbed all year, came into training camp and was kicking real well. I had a great preseason I thought, started off my first game kicking with a 50 and a 55-yarder against Houston. I started off the season, obviously, with a magical day in Green Bay. Then, obviously, this has gone into an up-and-down season. I fell out here on the field and it kind of flared up where I had surgery.

“Had some injections, the same surgeon. It’s one of those things you need some rest but that’s not the reason. It’s kind of the fundamental of my year. It’s been one of those up-and-down years. I would definitely give that 63-yarder back to make the two kicks against St. Louis. People talk about my demeanor being down, listen, I take my job seriously. I feel when I miss kicks I let the team, the organization, the fans down. I take it personal. I guess sometimes I care too much about it. That’s just kind of who I am.

"I have no problem talking to y’all and being real. It’s been disappointing. I’m disappointed in myself. There’s nothing I can really do about it now. I can’t go back in the past. Try today to get better and figure out why they’re not going between the poles. If I had an answer I would have fixed it a long time ago.”